Rookie Bulls two-way player Justin Lewis injured his knee during a workout, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. The exact extent of the damage is not yet known, but sources inform Johnson that the team is worried the 6’7″ forward out of Marquette may have torn his ACL.
Johnson notes that Chicago staffers had been optimistic about Lewis’ ability to help the Bulls as a rookie, despite not having a spot on the team’s standard 15-man roster. The athletic forward boasts the physical tools to be a solid defender at the NBA level, and had also developed into a volume long-range shooter during his second college season, converting 34.9% of his 5.2 triples a night.
Lewis averaged 16.8 PPG on 44% shooting, 7.9 RPG and 1.7 APG while being named to the 2021/22 All-Big East First Team during his final season with Marquette. Lewis posted more modest numbers while playing for the Bulls’ Summer League team in Las Vegas this year, averaging 7.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 0.8 BPG across 22.5 MPG.
Though the 20-year-old had been projected to have his name called on draft night in 2022, he instead went undrafted, then quickly agreed to terms with the Bulls on a two-way contract. The team still has one open two-way roster slot available.
I had him as an end if the first round pick. My guess he didnt get drafted in the 2nd round b/c he didnt want to accept a 2 way or short term deal, and wanted to choose his destination, and he chose a good one. Unfortunate for them. Now they really should just sign someone at the 4, unless they think Simonovic can give them something there. Right now their backup bigs are holding up roster space for them for the pick and roll defending, rim protecting big they need, the 4 with size that can preferably shoot, and a floor spacing/smallball 5. Hopefully Simonovic can fill 1 of those, but I dont think they’re going to address that at this point, so they just need Patrick Williams to hopefully knock down shots at the 4
This sucks. I hope it’s not a torn ACL and he’s back sometime soon as he appeared to be the plan if Williams got hurt again.